THE SUMMIT
Join us for the California Farm to School Summit, October 14-15, 2026, in Sacramento County. Set among the gardens and fields of Soil Born Farms, a nationally recognized center for urban agriculture, sustainable food systems, and healthy food education, the Summit will offer inspiring conversations, fresh California-grown food, hands-on experiences, and networking opportunities.
Connect with California’s farm to school community for a vibrant celebration of the people advancing the health of our children, our farms, and our future. Together, we will celebrate California’s leadership, strengthen connections across the state, and build momentum for the future of farm to school.
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Inspiring Conversations
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Hands-On Experiences
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Networking
Wednesday, October 14, 2026Welcome activities
Film Screening
6:00 – 7:00 PM The Henry Ford’s Farm to School Lunch Across America: Innovation in America's School Lunchroom
The Crest Theater, 1013 K St, Sacramento, CA 95814
Sponsored by The Henry Ford
Dine in Downtown Sacramento
Welcome to the Farm-to-Fork Capital of America! Explore the best of Sacramento's dining scene through our curated list of local favorites. We are proud to feature restaurants that source their ingredients from the very same farms that feed our students.Walk-ins welcome (no reservations required).
Thursday, October 15, 2026Summit schedule
Registration
Check-in and Breakfast
8:45 – 9:30 AMSoil Born Farms, 2140 Chase Dr, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
On-site parking is available at Soil Born Farms. Carpooling and ride-sharing are encouraged. Please note that, due to surrounding school drop-off traffic, we do not recommend arriving before 8:45 a.m.
morning sessions
Vincent LaPena, Traditional Ecological Knowledge Manager, Wilton Rancheria
Opening Remarks
Farm to School in Policy: California as a Model for the Nation
California is transforming school food, from how it is grown to how it reaches the state’s 5.7 million students. Learn how the nation’s largest farm to school grant program is working alongside investments in universal school meals, kitchen infrastructure, and workforce development to build a stronger school food system.
Beth Katz, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Food Insight Group
Anna Nakamura Knight, Farmer/Partner, Old Grove Orange
Kat Soltanmorad, RDN, Director of Food and Nutrition Services, Tahoe Truckee Unified School District
Moderated by Abby Halperin, Senior Policy and Evaluation Manager, Center for Ecoliteracy
Farm to School in the Kitchen: From Ultraprocessed to Fresh School Meals
School districts across California are shifting from ultraprocessed foods to freshly-prepared meals featuring more California-grown ingredients. Hear how school nutrition professionals are getting creative and making meaningful change in menus, kitchens, and the student experience.
Introduced by California Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo
Ambrosia Allen, Food and Nutrition Services Director, Elk Grove Unified School District
Sunny Baker, Senior Director, Programs and Policy, National Farm to School Network
Stella Ndahura, Director of Nutrition Services, Azusa Unified School District
Moderated by Mara Fleishman, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Chef Ann Foundation
Lunch
Lunchtime Farm Tours
12:15 p.m.Walk, taste, explore, and get inspired as you tour the farm. Learn about regenerative farming practices and Soil Born Farms' hands-on educational experiences and goals.
Register for a farm tour when you arrive at the Summit. Space will be limited.
Afternoon Sessions
Farm to School in the Field: Climate-Smart, California-Grown School Food
Farm to school programs create new markets for California farmers while bringing fresh, locally-grown food to students. Hear how leaders from Yolo to Los Angeles County are connecting small, climate-smart farms with school meal programs.
Introduced by California Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria
Mireya Gomez-Contreras, Executive Director, Esperanza Community Farms
Annelia Norris, Program Manager, Yurok Tribe Food Sovereignty
Florence Simpson, Deputy Director of Food Services, Los Angeles Unified School District
Moderated by Jacob Weiss, General Manager, Spork Food Hub
Farm to School in the Classroom: Hands-on Food Education
When students experience how food is grown and how it reaches the lunch tray, they build awareness of the food system and curiosity to try new foods. Learn how schools are creating educational experiences in the garden, cafeteria, and classroom.
Akiko Heard, Diggin’ Program Coordinator, Agricultural Institute of Marin
Stephanie Towner, Garden and Nutrition Educator, Rio School District
Victoria Rubio, Student, Cordova High School FFA Chapter President
Moderated by Moises Plascencia, Farm to School Program Coordinator, Santa Ana Unified School District
California Food for California Kids® Leadership and Innovation Awards
Celebrate school nutrition leaders who are bringing fresh, California-grown food to students and advancing farm to school across the state. The Center for Ecoliteracy will recognize outstanding leadership and innovation in school food.
Closing
Closing Remarks
3:30 pmReception and Networking
3:45–5:00 PM Sponsored by Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation
Afternoon Farm tours
3:45 p.m.Walk, taste, explore, and get inspired as you tour the farm. Learn about regenerative farming practices and Soil Born Farms' hands-on educational experiences and goals.
Register for a farm tour when you arrive at the Summit. Space will be limited.
panels & Speakers
Policy Panel
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Beth Katz, PhD
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Food Insight GroupRead More
Dr. Katz is an applied food systems researcher working at the intersection of public health, climate, and food justice. She conducts evaluation research examining school food system transformations, workforce development, and institutional foodservice models that promote values-aligned procurement, freshly prepared meals, and improved job quality. She co-designed and co-leads the evaluation of California’s Farm to School Incubator Grant Program and leads the team evaluating the Chef Ann Foundation’s Healthy School Food Pathway program in California.
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Anna Nakamura Knight
Farmer/Partner
Old Grove OrangeRead More
Anna Nakamura Knight is a fifth-generation, Japanese American farmer stewarding 80 acres in Southern California. She farms with her family and manages California's oldest K–12 farm to school food hub. After 10 years off-farm, Anna now works to connect local kiddos to local farmers, helping small farmers in her region keep Farming Forever! Anna serves on the board of the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Farmlink's Farmer Advisory Council, CDFA's Small-Scale Producer Advisory Committee, CDFA's Food Hubs Working Group, and was a fellow of California Agricultural Leadership Program Class 52.
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Kat Soltanmorad, RDN
Director of Food Services
Tahoe Truckee Unified School DistrictRead More
Kat Soltanmorad, a registered dietitian with 25 years of experience, serves as food and nutrition services director at Tahoe Truckee Unified School District. Since 2012, she has transformed school dining by serving 85% scratch-cooked meals, eliminating single-use plastics, and ensuring TTUSD school meals are mostly organic and locally sourced through 50 regional farmers and Tahoe Food Hub. Kat holds degrees in Mathematics and Nutrition/Biochemistry, dedicating her career to student wellness, environmental stewardship, and sustainable food systems.
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Moderated by Abby Halperin, MSc
Senior Policy and Evaluation Manager
Center for EcoliteracyRead More
Abby Halperin leads the Center for Ecoliteracy’s advocacy work on school meals and farm to school, which helped establish free breakfast and lunch for all of California’s 5.7 million TK–12 students. She uses the power of data to amplify the voices of school nutrition professionals and provide strategic insights to policymakers. Her background is in research, environmental policy, and environmental education. She holds a Master of Science in Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford.
Kitchen Panel
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Ambrosia Allen
Director of Nutrition Services
Elk Grove Unified School DistrictRead More
Sacramento native Ambrosia Allen has spent 14 years dedicated to school nutrition, working her way up from a food services assistant to director. Her hands-on experience within the department gives her a unique, ground-level perspective on what it takes to serve thousands of reimbursable meals daily. Ambrosia holds a bachelor’s degree in nutrition & hospitality management from Alabama A&M University. In her spare time, Ambrosia enjoys trying new recipes and spending time with family.
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Sunny Baker
Senior Director, Programs and Policy
National Farm to School NetworkRead More
Sunny Baker leads school food reform and works to build a new culture of regionally based eating. As Senior Director of Programs and Policy for the National Farm to School Network, she partners with communities nationwide to create more resilient, inclusive school food systems. A Hendrix College graduate and W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Fellow, Sunny began her school food career with the Chef Ann Foundation and co-founded and led the Mississippi Farm to School Network. She is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
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Stella Ndahura
Director, Nutrition Services
Azusa Unified School DistrictRead More
Chef Stella Ndahura is a passionate school nutrition leader who believes every child deserves access to healthy, delicious meals. As Director of Nutrition Services for Azusa Unified School District, she combines more than 17 years of experience with her culinary training from Le Cordon Bleu and Johnson & Wales University to create innovative, student-centered meal programs. Known for her leadership in scratch cooking and community engagement, Stella is dedicated to nourishing students, celebrating cultures, and helping children thrive.
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Moderated by Mara Fleishman
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Chef Ann FoundationRead More
As co-founder and CEO of the Chef Ann Foundation, the nation's leading organization advancing fresh, scratch-cooked school meals, Mara Fleishman has spent more than a decade championing healthier food for America's children. A former Global Director of Partnerships at Whole Foods Market, she specializes in systems-based change, or "programmatic engineering," breaking complex problems down to build lasting solutions. Mara serves on regional and national boards and speaks nationwide on the future of food systems.
Agriculture Panel
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Mireya Gomez-Contreras
Executive Director
Esperanza Community FarmsRead More
Mireya Gomez-Contreras has been leading Esperanza Community Farms since 2019. She first joined the Watsonville-based 3-acre organic community farm as a CSA member in 2017 when the organization was founded. Esperanza Food Hub works to localize the regional food system through a three-pronged approach: delivering farm-to-door CSA baskets or organic produce, aggregating and distributing fruits and vegetables from small farmers of color, and using creative and cultural projects to shift culture and norms from disconnection to interdependence.
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Annelia Norris
Program Manager
Yurok Tribe Food SovereigntyRead More
Annelia Norris is a Yurok Tribal Member residing in the Upper Yurok Reservation near the confluence of the Klamath and Trinity Rivers. She has been working with the Yurok Food Sovereignty Program for the last 5 years and is now the Program Manager. Annelia is a mother, artist, activist, and dedicated cultural practitioner. She has worked for many years in the river schools and communities connecting families and youth to land based education and healing.
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Florence Simpson
Deputy Director of Food Services
Los Angeles Unified School DistrictRead More
Florence Simpson is Deputy Director of Food Services for Los Angeles Unified School District. She joined LAUSD in 2004 and has led procurement, menu development, operations, facility design, and strategic planning and program innovation. As a former Urban School Food Alliance board member and current Co-Chair of the Los Angeles Food Policy Council’s Institutional Food Waste Prevention Working Group, Florence is committed to advancing equitable, sustainable food systems that strengthen school nutrition and student success.
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Moderated By Jacob Weiss
General Manager
Spork Food HubRead More
Jacob Weiss is passionate about supporting local, sustainable, diverse farms and increasing their access to markets. He also believes the highest-quality produce should be available to those who need it most. Prior to Spork, he worked on several small farms and was the manager of a small food hub on the East Coast. He holds an M.S. in Sustainable and Equitable Supply Chains from the Friedman School at Tufts University.
Educator Panel
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Akiko Heard
Diggin’ Program Coordinator
Agricultural Institute of MarinRead More
As Diggin Education’s Program Coordinator, Akiko oversees program logistics and delivers engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Akiko is dedicated to empowering youth with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make sustainable and culturally aware food choices. Her experience spans grades K–12, where she has supported students, families, and educators in building strong foundations for lifelong well-being. Akiko works alongside youth to cultivate a new generation of leaders to create interconnected pathways toward a more equitable, resilient future.
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Stephanie Towner
Nutrition and Farm to School Support Specialist
Rio School DistrictRead More
Stephanie Towner is a passionate farm-to-school educator and program leader dedicated to connecting students, families, and communities with food, agriculture, and the environment. Through her work with the Rio School District and Rio Regenerative Farm, she creates hands-on learning experiences that promote nourishing eating, environmental stewardship, and regenerative agriculture. Stephanie is committed to building meaningful partnerships, expanding agricultural education, and inspiring the next generation of thoughtful, engaged future food-system leaders. Her favorite love language is food.
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Victoria Rubio
Student
Cordova High School FFA Chapter PresidentRead More
Hello everyone! I’m Victoria Rubio, a Junior from Cordova High School. I have been in the Cordova FFA Chapter and Agriculture Sciences Pathway for the past three years. Before high school, I gained some livestock experience by riding horses. Since coming to Cordova, I have gained more experience and knowledge of production, processes, and the specific sciences behind plant and animal production through opportunities at Soil Born Farms.
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Moderated by Moises Plascencia
Farm to School Program Coordinator
Santa Ana Unified School DistrictRead More
Moises Plascencia, Farm to School Coordinator at Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD), exemplifies the farm to school movement through his commitment to local farmers and the local community. Leading efforts in California’s ninth-largest district, Moises has transformed SAUSD’s farm-to-school programming by prioritizing local procurement, developing school gardens and creating robust educational programming. His leadership has made SAUSD a model of how schools can nourish students and the agricultural community while promoting sustainable, healthy living.
locationSoil Born Farms
Held at Soil Born Farms, a nationally recognized center for the promotion of urban agriculture, sustainable food systems, and healthy food education.
2140 Chase Dr, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
SUMMIT FAQS
Transportation
Parking is available onsite at Soil Born Farms. Rideshare and carpooling are encouraged.
Lodging
Suggested hotels in Downtown/Midtown Sacramento:
Suggested hotel in Rancho Cordova:
Comfort and Attire
The California Farm to School Summit is held on Soil Born Farms, a working agricultural farm and educational center. Please wear sturdy shoes and sun protection. Water bottles and water will be available onsite.
Film Screening, October 14
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Yes, you can choose to attend only the film screening, free of charge. Please RSVP: cafarmtoschoolsummit.com/film-screening-rsvp
Summit Tickets and Payment
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Yes, one buyer can purchase multiple tickets for different attendees using the registration form. Set the number of tickets needed, then proceed to Assign Attendees to provide information for each attendee. The buyer will receive a confirmation email and an invoice attachment. The assigned attendees will not receive a ticket until the week of the event.
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The week of the event, each registered attendee will receive an email with their ticket to bring to registration.
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Yes, you can use your Grant Project Budget for registration and travel. Please contact cafarmtoschool@cdfa.ca.gov for instructions.
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Yes, the California Farm to School Summit is an eligible training topic for 2025 KIT funds. Follow CDE guidelines to use KIT funds to cover registration, travel, and staff time.
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Yes, please email info@cafarmtoschoolsummit.com to arrange reimbursement.
